Ardern seen as best to manage pandemic, economic recovery

Jacinda Ardern continues to be seen as the best leader to manage the COVID-19 pandemic response.

64% rate her as the best leader on the response, compared with 18% for Judith Collins.

The next highest of six leaders surveyed was David Seymour of ACT, with 5%, followed by 3% for Winston Peters, 2% for James Shaw and 1% for Marama Davidson. 8% said none of these leaders were best to manage the response.

Judith Collins is seen as more effective at managing the pandemic response than previous National leader Todd Muller, gaining 6% over Muller’s 12%  rating in June 2020.

However, Ms Collins has not won over all of those who voted for her party at the 2017 general election, 36% of whom see Jacinda Ardern as best to manage the pandemic response (down from 40% in June 2020).

Among the occupation groups, only Farm Owners/Managers think that Judith Collins would be better to manage the pandemic response than Jacinda Ardern.

Ardern best leader to manage economic recovery

It is the same story overall with the management of the economic recovery from the pandemic response.

54% think Jacinda Ardern is best to manage the economic recovery, compared with 26% who think Judith Collins is best.  Ms Collins, however, rated more highly than her predecessor Todd Muller, who rated 19% in June 2020.

Methodology

1,300 members of Horizon Research nationwide panels and a third-party research panel, representing the New Zealand adult population at the 2018 census, responded to the online survey between 20 and 25 August 2020.

The sample is weighted on age, gender, highest qualification, personal income, employment status and party vote at the 2017 election.  At a 95% confidence level, the maximum margin of error is +/- 2.7%.

The survey was self-commissioned by Horizon Research as part of COVID-19 research conducted in the public interest since late March 2020.

For further information please contact

Grant McInman, Manager, Horizon Research, email gmcinman@horizonresearch.co.nz, telephone 021 076 2040.